USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 43
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Almost a half century has passed since Mr. McLean became a resident of Iowa and has lived in this part of the state since the fall of 1877, his time be- ing divided between Mills and Pottawattamie counties. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 7, 1846. His father, William McLean, was an early settler of the Buckeye state and was there married, while several of his children were born in Muskingum county. In 1858 he brought his family to Iowa, locating in Mills county, where he improved a farm, continu- ing its cultivation for a number of years. In 1875 he took up his abode in Pottawattamie county, securing a tract of wild land in York township, upon which he opened up a farm, making it his home throughout his remaining days. In his labors he was practical, securing results in the development of his place that are today manifest in the fine appearance of the farm and its richly cultivated fields. He died in 1901, at the very venerable age of eighty- six years, and his wife passed away in the fall of the same year, at the age of eighty-two.
Uriah McLean was a lad of twelve years when the family left Ohio and came to Iowa. He assisted his father in carrying on the farm in Mills county until he attained his majority and then went west to Denver in 1866. He was engaged in freighting on the plains, driving a six-mule team for two years and meeting with all of the varied experiences incident to such a life. In the fall of 1867 he returned to Mills county and later came to Pottawattamie county but in 1869 again went west to Denver and followed freighting in that section
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of the country. Once more he came to Pottawattamie county in 1870 and a little later went to Effingham county, Illinois.
While there Mr. McLean was married on the 2d of January, 1872, to Miss Eliza E. Fry, a native of that county, where the days of her girlhood were spent. Following their marriage Mr. McLean resided in Effingham county until 1877, being there engaged in farming. He then returned to Iowa and made a permanent location in Pottawattamie county, where he first rented land for three years. In the meantime, through untiring industry and careful expen- diture, he managed to save a sum sufficient to justify his purchase of eighty acres of raw prairie land. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improve- ment made upon this place but he opened up a farm and later bought two other tracts of eighty acres each, so that he now has a valuable property of two hundred and forty acres. Upon this farm he has erected a good two-story resi- dence, while ample shelter is afforded to grain and stock in his commodious barns and outbuildings. The orchard upon the place was planted by him, to- gether with much small fruit and many shade and ornamental trees, which make the farm a bower of beauty in the summer months when the trees are clothed in green foliage. He has two good sets of buildings upon the farm and altogether the place is valuable, neatness and thrift pervading every de- partment. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and has made a business of breeding and dealing in Aberdeen Angus cattle, now hav- ing a herd of about seventy with a fine pure blooded registered male at the head of the herd. He also feeds and fattens cattle and hogs for the market and is well known as a leading dealer in live stock in York township. In addi- tion to his home property he owns a residence and a blacksmith shop in Bent- ley, is a stockholder and director in the Bentley Improvement Company, also a stockholder, director and vice president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Minden. These various connections will indicate that he is a man of resource- ful business ability, whose labors are carefully managed, whose investments are judiciously made and whose success is the result of his unwearied industry and sound judgment.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. McLean has been blessed with seven children : Ida M., the wife of Professor W. J. Thompson, a teacher of South Dakota; J. H., who is married and resides upon the home farm; Sadie D., the wife of Paul Wisdom, of Omaha; Nellie S., who is employed in the telephone office in Omaha; Madie E., the wife of Howard Rishton, a farmer of Minden township; Kate D., the wife of Fred Howard, a farmer of Pottawattamie county; and Floyd W., who assists his father in carrying on the home farm.
Mr. McLean is a public-spirited citizen, whose interest in the welfare of the community has been manifest in many tangible ways, his co-operation be- ing withheld from no movement that he deems will promote public progress. In politics he supports the democracy where state and national questions are involved but at local elections where no issue is involved he regards only the capability of the candidate. He has been chosen to various positions of public honor and trust and has been particularly helpful in promoting the interests of the schools, serving for nineteen years as a member of the school board. He has for ten or twelve years been township clerk and has frequently been
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chosen as a delegate to county and state conventions, being not unknown in political circles outside of his home locality. Mr. McLean is an Odd Fellow, be- longing to Neola lodge, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand. He and his wife are affiliated with the Rebekah chapter and both have served in official positions therein, Mrs. McLean being for three years depart- ment president. Mr. McLean is one of the official members of the Grange at Bentley and is recognized as a man of broad integrity and worth in every rela- tion of life, being classed with the well known and prosperous farmers and business men and with those whose many sterling characteristics have won for him the merited confidence and esteem of their respective communities.
SHEPARD FARNSWORTH.
Few men receive the respect which was uniformly accorded Shepard Farns- worth, the cashier of the First National Bank of Council Bluffs, in which capacity he was connected with the financial interests of the city from 1869 until his death in 1902. Ile was so careful and exaet in all his business transactions. so considerate of the rights of others and so faithful in his friendships that all who knew him entertained for him the warmest regard. One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Museatine, on the 17th of August, 1841, his parents being Azel and An (Shepard) Farnsworth, both of whom were natives of Vermont, whence they came to the middle west at an early day, settling in Muscatine, Iowa, where for many years the father engaged in the real-estate business. Subsequently he removed westward to the Pacific coast, taking up his abode in Los Angeles, California, where his last days were passed, but his wife died in Muscatine, Iowa.
At the usual age Shepard Farnsworth became a pupil in the public schools in Muscatine, and after acquiring his preliminary education he at- tended a college in Davenport, thus being well equipped by liberal mental training and diselipline for the practical and responsible duties of life. When he was still but a young lad he went to Washington. Iowa, where he secured a position as errand boy in the only bank of the town, and through- out his entire life he was connected with banking interests in one capacity or another. He was soon promoted to clerk in the Washington Bank and afterward was made teller, and before he was twenty-five years of age he had worked his way upward until he was made cashier and owned half of the stock. There came an interruption to his business life in the military service which he rendered to his country at the time of the Civil war. Fol- lowing the outbreak of hostilities he became a sergeant in the Nineteenth Iowa Regiment under command of Colonel Crabbe, who was afterward his father-in-law. Later he served under Colonel Stanton, who was subse- quently paymaster of the United States. Mr. Farnsworth continued in the service for several years but on account of ill health he was at length dis- charged.
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Hle then returned to his home in Washington, Iowa, where he accepted the position of teller in the bank. After a short time he was made cashier of the institution and occupied that position for a few years. With his brother he then went to McGregor, Iowa, where they established a private bank, conducting the same for six months. On the expiration of that period Shepard Farnsworth came to Council Bluffs in May, 1869. Mr. Dem- ing then owned and controlled the First National Bank of this city and Mr. Farnsworth purchased a half interest in the stock and was made cashier, while Mr. Deming acted as president. Mr. Farnsworth continued as cash- ier of the bank until 1892, when he retired on account of ill health. The success of the institution is largely due to his labors, his thorough under- standing of the banking business, his courteous treatment of the patrons, and his close application and unremitting diligence. He became recognized as one of the strong moneved men of the city and his name was a synonym of honor in financial circles.
While residing in Washington. Iowa, Mr. Farnsworth was married to Miss Emma J. Crabbe, a native of Jefferson, Madison county, Ohio, and a daughter of Colonel Benjamin and Sarah Ann (Jones) Crabbe, both of whom were natives of Madison county, Ohio. The father was a practicing physician who, having graduated from the Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, engaged in practice in Madison county for many years. He then came to the middle west, settling in Muscatine, Iowa, where he continued in practice for a few years and then removed to Washington, Iowa, where he was located at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. His patriotic spirit being aroused, he joined the Seventh Iowa Regiment in 1861 as captain, and participated in many important engagements. In the battle of Belmont he was taken prisoner and incarcerated for seven months. He then returned home and after a short time he raised a regiment of his own-the Nine- teenth Iowa Regiment-and was made commander of the post at Spring- field, Missouri, where he continued until he resigned, although then in a fair way of promotion to the rank of general. Returning to Washington, Iowa, he engaged in the hotel business for a few years, after which he re- moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and died at McCool, that state, in September, 1906, at the age of eighty-five years. He was a prominent Mason.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth were born five children, of whom three are now living. Jessie is the wife of J. W. Palmer, and they reside in Portland, Oregon, where he is engaged in the lumber business. Thomas S., who married Miss Cora Keller, is recognized as one of the leading business men of Council Bluffs. He is now vice president of the Keller-Farnsworth Furniture Company and is mentioned on another page of this work. IIe joined the army during the Spanish-American war and served in the Philip- pines. Every generation of the family has been represented in the differ- "ent wars of the country back to revolutionary times. Sadie F. is the wife of H. F. Gleason, of Kansas City, a member of the Kansas City Vehicle Company. Two daughters, Cora and Nellie, are now deceased. The death of the husband and father occurred at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on the 10th of March, 1902. He had gone there for the benefit of his health but the
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trip proved a futile one and he passed away as before stated. His remains were brought back to Council Bluffs for interment.
Mr. Farnsworth gave his political support to the republican party and was in hearty sympathy with its principles and policy but was never an office seeker. His friends urged him to become a candidate for mayor on several different occasions but he always refused. He belonged to the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Masonic fraternity, the latter having charge of the funeral services. His wife is a member of the Presby- terian church. Mr. Farnsworth was recognized as one of the most promi- nent and well-to-do business men of the city. He was active and successful in his banking business, was public-spirited and progressive in citizenship and faithful in friendship but the best traits of his character were reserved for his home, where he was known as a devoted husband and father, doing all in his power to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of those near and dear to him.
Mrs. Farnsworth still makes her home in Council Bluffs, where she owns a commodious and beautiful residence at No. 301 South Eighth street. which was built by her husband. She also owns other property here and has considerable valuable property in Seattle, Washington. She always spends the winters on the Pacific coast, thus getting away from the inclem- ent weather experienced in the middle states during that season of the year. Council Bluffs, however, has been her home for thirty-seven years and she is extremely well known here, having a very extensive circle of friends.
C. B. BARDSLEY.
C. B. Bardsley, whose time and energies are given to the cultivation of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres, which he owns on section 29, Neola township, first opened his eyes to the light of day on this place, April 14, 1856. It is the old Bardsley homestead and became the property of his father in early pioneer times. He is a son of Joseph Bardsley, a native of England, who was there reared. In this country he married Betty Bradley, also of English birth. Mr. Bardsley was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit in England until about 1850, when he emigrated to the new world. Here, as stated, he was married, but both he and the mother of our subject had been previously married. Coming to Pottawattamie county, he took up a homestead claim from the government and lived upon it for a few years, making some improvements there. Later he bought the farm upon which his son, C. B. Bardsley, now resides and broke the sod, tilling the fields until he had converted the farm into a very productive place. His time and energies were given to its further development until his death, which was occasioned by an accident in 1860. ITis wife survived him and reared her family upon the old home farm.
C. B. Bardsley spent the days of his boyhood and youth here and acquired his early education in the common schools, while later he attended Tabor
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College. Subsequently he engaged in teaching for several years, but the greater part of his life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and as the years have passed he has won his way to a place among the prosperous agriculturists of his community.
Mr. Bardsley was first married in Neola township, in 1880, to Miss M. J. Spencer, a daughter of Thomas Spencer and a sister of G. W. Spencer, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. He located on the old home farm and bought out the interest of the other heirs in the property. By purchase he also extended the boundaries of the place and improved it by the erection of a good frame dwelling, substantial barn, a granary and machine house. He has likewise planted an orchard and the farm in its excellent appearance is the visible evidence of his life of thrift, energy and industry.
In 1893 Mr. Bardsley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died leaving four children : Joseph P., who is now engaged in the grain business at Underwood, Iowa; Edward A., who is engaged in farming on his own account; Walter L., who assists in the operation of the home farm; and Ethel May, at home. In 1895, in Neola township, Mr. Bardsley was again married, his second union being with Miss Dora Witz, a native of Germany, who was brought to the new world when a maiden of twelve summers and was here reared. There are two children by this marriage, Mabel and Frances.
Mr. Bardsley votes with the republican party and greatly desires its success, believing its principles most conducive to good government. He works for the interests of public education and has served on the school board for years. He has also been township treasurer for nine years, justice of the peace for one term and has been a delegate to various conventions of his party. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, in which Mr. Bardsley is serving as elder. He also belongs to the Masonic lodge at Neola and in the community where he resides his genuine personal worth has gained him the good will of his fellowmen, while in the Masonic lodge he has the most friendly regard of his brethren of the fraternity.
O. M. BRUCE.
O. M. Bruce is a pioneer business man of Walnut and in fact the only man along the Rock Island Railroad in this county who has been continuously in business here for thirty-five years. Throughout this period he has main- tained an unassailable reputation for commercial integrity and the salient traits of his character are such as have won for him the trust and respect of his fellowmen.
His life history began at Mount Gilead, Ohio, on the 12th of October, 1848. His parents were George S. and Rachel (Livingstone) Bruce. His father was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, near Culpeper Courthouse, about 1816 and was there reared and married, after which he removed to Mount Gilead, Ohio, about 1840. He became one of the leading men of that town, where for years he was engaged in merchandising, contributing to the
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commercial prosperity of the community as well as to his individual success. That he was one of the prominent residents of his community is shown by the fact that he was again and again called to publie office. He served for eight years as postmaster of Mount Gilead and by election filled the office of auditor of Morrow county for two terms. He likewise acted in various other official positions, to which he was chosen as the democratic nominee and he never faltered in his support of a principle in which he believed or a course of action that he deemed would prove of benefit to his town, county, state or nation. He held membership in the Baptist church and lived a consistent Christian life, being called to his final reward on the 3d of November, 1902. In the family were four children, of whom three are living: Sarah M., who is now the widow of William Miller and resides at Mount Gilead, Ohio; Ann Elizabeth, the wife of H. G. Cooper, of Coffeyville, Kansas; and O. M. Bruee.
The last named was reared in the place of his nativity and as boy and youth attended the public schools, becoming a high-school student. There are few men of his years who ean boast of active service in the Civil war, but Mr. Bruce in 1861, when but thirteen years of age, enlisted in the army, joining Company D, Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry. He afterward served with Company B, Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and was with General Kilpatrick in the siege of Atlanta. He was with the Squirrel Hunters, who were detailed to intercept Morgan on his raid into Ohio, and on the 10th of September, 1864, he was wounded at Campbelltown, Georgia, and taken prisoner. From that point he was marched to Fairburn, Georgia, and thenee to General IIood's headquarters at Lovejoy Station, later proceeding to Griffin, Georgia, where he was placed in the stockade. This was on Wednesday and on the following Saturday morning he was taken to Macon, Georgia, where he was held a prisoner for six weeks. He was then transferred to Andersonville, where he was ineareerated for three weeks, and then started to Salisbury, South Caro- lina, but on the trip the train was wrecked, killing fifteen men and crippling thirty. The Union prisoners were then returned to Andersonville and the day following were transferred to Milan, Georgia, from which southern prison Mr. Bruce made his escape about the 29th of November. He pro- ceeded to Savannah, Georgia, where he was paroled on the last day of Novem- ber, 1864. With other Union troops he met the northern fleet and was taken to a parole camp at Annapolis, Maryland. About Christmas time of the same year he secured a furlough and returned home. On the expiration of his leave of absence he reported but was told to remain until he was ealled for and as a consequence lie was never recalled for exchange, being discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, on the 13th of July, 1865. It was a strenuous expe- rienee for a youth of his years but he displayed valor and loyalty equal to that of many a veteran of twice his age and well may he be proud of his military record when-a boy in years-he did a soldier's full duty in defense of the stars and stripes.
After receiving his discharge Mr. Bruce again took up the work of the schoolroom, continning his education until 1867, when he came west to Iowa. He spent five years in Monroe, where he was engaged in the drug business and also became extensively interested in the live-stock business. In 1873
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he removed to Walnut, where in March of that year he opened a drug store, since which time he has conducted the enterprise with constantly growing success. He is one of the honored pioneer business men of the town and has been closely associated with its commercial growth and prosperity.
Mr. Bruce has ever been a stalwart advocate of the republican party, which was the defender of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war and which has ever been the party of progress, reform and aggressive advance- ment. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln when but sixteen years of age, the privilege being accorded him by reason of his military service, the franchise being given to all soldiers. IIe was incarcerated in the Confederate prison at the time but was allowed the voting privilege. He has never sought nor desired political preferment, yet served as a member of the first board of councilmen when Walnut was organized. His influence has ever been given for the election of good men to office and he is always found on the side of justice and civic virtue. He belongs to Moriah lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Star chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; Fairview lodge, No. 194, A. O. U. W .; Camp No. 32, W. O. W .; and John A. Dix post, G. A. R.
Mr. Bruce was married in 1870 to Miss Sarah A1. Worth, of Monroe, Iowa, a daughter of Joel B. Worth, who went to Monroe from Kentucky in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have two children: Maud B., the wife of Roy Bigelow of Walnut; and Mabel B., the wife of Otto Ronna, a banker of the same town.
No history of Walnut would be complete without mention of Mr. Bruce, for he is a citizen whose record reflects credit upon the community in which he lives. He has always been as loyal to the interests of his country in days of peace as when he followed the old flag upon southern battle-fields. In the active affairs of this workaday world he has faithfully done his duty day after day, making a creditable record in business and winning the friendship of many with whom he has come in contact by reason of a genial, social nature and deference for the opinions of others.
JAMES H. GASSON, M. D.
One of the most successful physicians and surgeons now engaged in practice in Council Bluffs is this well known gentleman, who is conducting a private hospital of his own, known as the City Hospital, and is making a specialty of surgery. He is a native of the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth occurring in Hancock county, that state, on the 14th of March, 1869, but the following year he was brought by his parents to Iowa, the family locating in Montgomery county, where he was reared to manhood. His early education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by a course at Ames College, Ames, Iowa, where he was graduated in 1893. His parents were Thomas E. and Sarah (Langford) Gasson, the former a native of Eng- land and the latter of Illinois.
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Deciding to become a physician, Dr. Gasson entered the Creighton Medi- cal College at Omaha, and was graduated therefrom in 1898. He first located for practice at Missouri Valley, Iowa, where he conducted a hospital until 1906, when he opened an office in Council Bluffs, and has since engaged in practice at this place, his specialty being surgery, in which line he has been remarkably successful. He prefers surgery to a general practice and has performed many difficult operations that have attracted general notice and won the commendation of his professional brethren. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Pottawattamie County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and outside of his profession is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Neighbors and the Knights of the Maccabees. In what- ever relation of life we find him he is a pleasant, genial gentleman and although his residence in Council Bluffs is of short duration he has already become widely and favorably known and has gained many warm friends.
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